Index



(No Model.)

G. L. RATLIFP.

INDEX. o. 470,504. Patented Mar. 8, 1892;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. EATLIEE, OF MARION, INDIANA.

l N D EX SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 470,504, datedMarc h 8, 1892. Application filed January 5, 1891. Serial No. 376,815. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. RATLIFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marion, county of Grant, and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Index or Register for Names, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in indexes.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved device for holding an index-book so that the same will be normally closed, said index being attached to a base.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention by a perspective view.

A refers to the base, which is preferably made up of rigid material, as wood, and to this base is hinged a cover 0, said cover having secured thereto plates a a, which have headed pins, which pass through slots in the leaf 1) of the spring-hinge B. The slots referred to may be key-hole slots, so that when properly positioned the cover can be removed. The springs c are coiled upon the pintles of the hinges and have a tendency to hold the cover 0 normally closed; Within the cover are bound a number of pages D, the edges of which are cut, as shown. To one of the covers is rigidly secured a block E, which is provided with a vertical series of index-letters, preferably the whole alphabet, which are printed or attached to the edge thereof.

An index constructed as herein shown will be held normally closed by the spring-hinges and can be removed from the holder A when desired. The whole device may be suspended from a wall or desk in a vertical position.

This device is useful in connection with such The index'block E not-only gives great rigidity to the cover, but also presents an outer edge which will be visible and not liable to be worn by constant use, as when the indexletters areattached directly to the leaves.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The improved index herein described, consisting of a base A, having covers inclosing leaves and an indeX-board,said board hav ing index characters on the outer edge thereof, the cover being secured to the base A by spring-hinges, substantially as setforth.

2. In combination with an index consisting of the leaves D, a board E, having the index characters on the outer edge thereof, the whole being inclosed within covers, plates secured to the outer sides of the cover, headed pins attached to said plates and adapted to engage with slots in the leaves I) of the spring-hinges, the opposite leaves of said spring-hinges being secured to a rigid base A, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with the base or board A, having spring-hinges secured thereto, one of the leaves of said hinges having slots, in combination with an index-book the cover of which has plates (1, and means for connecting 

